Lebid and Lalli join Brussels XC field

Brussels, BelgiumSergiy Lebid and Andrea Lalli will be among the headline acts at the Lotto Crosscup on 19 December in Brussels, the third meeting of the IAAF Cross Country Permit series 2010/11.

Lebid, now 35, has since 2000 took to the start line at the Laken Park, twice taking the victory. The Ukrainian has special ties with Brussels; in 2008 he won the European title in the Belgian capital, and since his first run has always finished in the top five. The eight-time European champion is now eager to compete, having dominated the race since its inception. He knows every inch of the course and enjoys the supportive Belgian crowd. He’s preparing himself as usual in the mountains and hopes to perform well in this weekend’s European Cross Country championships in Albufeira before travelling to Brussels.

Italy’s Lalli returns after winning the last edition of race in terrible weather conditions. In a real snowstorm he beat handily his Kenyan and Ethiopian counterparts. Two years ago in Brussels he won the European Under-23 title, and in March of this year, took the World military title in Ostend.

“Belgium brings me luck,” he said in Ostend. “I will come back. Of course it’s my dream to repeat last year’s performance in Brussels.”